Euphonius Polemic brought this to our attention in post #51 ofthis thread.
We live in strange times indeed.
A few years ago I went out to happy hour with my wife and several of her co-workers. They were using ‘Canadians’ non-stop and by the end of the night I was fuming. My wife didn’t know what it meant and I didn’t tell her until later because I didn’t want to ruin her night. It carries all the asshole of the N word and none of the balls. It’s such a pussy term on top of being hateful.
Interesting post script to that story: The lead asshole of the group ended up on a major primetime network tv show last year.
I guess this makes Newfie jokes doubly unfunny, then?
Awww, Man! Now people are going to make me look racist when I poke at my Canadian friends. I mean, umm, some of my best friends are Canadian. Wait. I mean that. Really…
Actually, the cool kids say Canizzle.
As an actual Canadian, this pisses me off. So these jerks aren’t brave enough to man up and admit their views? Let them twist in the wind next time they come crying to the real Canada for water or oil.
Was he not using “Canadian” as a synonym for “liberal” (or “Communist”) — as in “bleeding heart liberal”? Read in context, that actually makes sense, and wouldn’t be an off-the-wall insult, unlike conflating a racial epithet and a nation.
The evidence that “Canadian” being used instead of “n*gger” is widespread, cited in the article, is not even remotely convincing, IMO.
I’ve heard this term in use as well. I didn’t realize it was so widespread. When I first heard it, it was explained to me that it started as a term used by restaurant staff, presumably to indicate their perceived non-tipping status. I’ve also heard (from someone who uses Canadians as well) that Hispanic people (or just plain “Mexicans”, as this sort of person usually refers to them) are called “janitors”. Some people. (This particar person was a friend of a friend of a friend; I normally don’t associate with racists).
So … Newfies are the Canadians of Canada, eh?
But am I still safe in referring to our friends north of the border as Canucks?
From the OP:
Could it somehow be related to the Underground Railroad? Black Canadians - Wikipedia
There were many stops here and entire black communities in Nova Scotia trace their history in Canada back to the railroad.
Hm, I strongly suspect that’s being referenced in Diesel Sweeties, but I never got it until now. The only black character in the comic is Canadian.
I agree that the article by itself is not 100% convincing, but given that a couple of posters have already said that they’ve heard of it being used in that way… I’d guess that Capt. Ridley’s Shooting Party (and most posters in SDMB) do not associate with racists, so find it hard to imagine.
Perhaps not, but it’s true, at least around here. Since about 2002 or so, I’ve been hearing the term Canadian as unambiguous code for “black,” usually with the pejorative subtexts associated with the word “nigger.” It does not mean “liberal” or anything of the sort. It means “black”/“nigger” and has been around for at least 5 years in the Chicago area.
I’ve heard of it second hand, from folks that work in restaurants. FWIW.
Buh?
[is very confused, goes back to corner]
See:
Definitions 4, 9, 14, 16, 23, 25,and 33
#17 is interesting. “Canadian” is a “non-offending” New York code word for “Jews”? Anyone confirm? “Non-offending”?
That’s what happens when you suppress speech. The ideas remain. Only the words change.
If this is true (and based on the posts here I believe it is), I think the idea is that there isn’t any obvious connection. It’s probably not inspired by anything historical; it’s just supposed to be something people wouldn’t expect to mean “black.”
You see, this is why I need to go to the White People meetings. Its not like they put this stuff in the newsletters.
You ever notice how white guys, they drive a car like this? But Canadian guys, they drive a car like this?